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When expecting parents begin researching hiring a birth photographer they're often hit with a bit of sticker shock. A bit of "does it really cost that much?" The short answer is yes, it does.Most people understand that we are on call 24/7 for potentially 4+ weeks for each birth and then there's time to edit the photos themselves. My on call time starts when the mom reaches 38 weeks gestation, and then I remain on call until baby is born - sometimes at 42+ weeks. For a mother carrying multiples, my on call would start earlier, at 36 or 37 weeks depending on how her pregnancy is progressing.

What a lot of people don't understand is exactly what being on call means - what birth workers (not just photographers, but doulas and midwives) give up by going on call. So, I thought it'd be fun to write a little blog about it. I asked a large birth photographer community that I'm a part of as well as some of my favorite doulas with Belly to Cradle, LLC the following question: "What are some of the weird things you (as a birth professional) have to consider when you go on call for a birth?"

Here are their answers.

Can't put off a shower until morning

No point in scheduling a hair appointment or mani/pedi when you might get called away in the middle of it

On call childcare 24/7 is a MUST

No staying up late binging shows. Go to bed at a normal hour in case (when) you get a middle of the night call

Can't drink when on call (or definitely not much). Gotta be able to drive at a moment's notice

Camera batteries and cell phone must be fully charged at all times. Extra chargers for both live in your camera bag

Camera bag packed to walk out the door at a moment's notice - includes change for vending machine, protein bar, water bottle, charged kindle, etc

Got my pedicure and my hair done earlier this week because my on-call starts today. Oh, and that's a pic of me headed INTO the hospital at 10:15pm. Baby was born a little after midnight.

Cant leave town

Phone on high volume 24/7

Driving two cars everywhere so that everyone doesn't have to leave, only you

Be ready to reschedule Dr appointments last minute (or just put them off until you're off-call)

Try not to mention birth at casual social events

Can't risk scheduling a photographer for your own family photos because you could get called away (I actually ended up taking my OWN family photos with a tripod and remote this fall for this exact reason)

Deciding if it's worth shelling out the money to go see a movie that you might have to leave in the middle of (and having your phone in your lap the entire movie)

Being the person who always says "I'll be there, as long as I'm not at a birth"

I'll ask you, how much would you charge to potentially miss your kid's first soccer game, VPK graduation, or Thanksgiving dinner?

There's one more thing you should know though -it's worth it!I'd photograph births every day to witness and capture these moments! Making the decision to offer birth photography services in Pensacola, Crestview, Foley, and Fairhope is one of the BEST decisions I've ever made in my life!

Every photographer and doula I spoke with wouldn't change a thing. We photograph births, we support mothers, we hold space because it's what we LOVE and because it's important. ​Everything we risk missing is worth everything we are allowed to witness!

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary Photography offers Birth Photography in northwest Florida that is timeless and unforgettable. Located in Pensacola and also offering maternity, family, and newborn photography, service areas include but are not limited to Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Pace, Milton, Cantonment, and Crestview in Florida and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and Daphne in Alabama. Maternity, birth, and newborn photography sessions should be booked early in the second trimester to ensure availability at the time of delivery. Amanda offers a high-end, full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to her Maternity and Newborn wardrobe, an online proofing gallery to share and download your included high-resolution digital images, and an array of professional print, canvas, and album options. I can’t wait to hear from you and help create your own beautiful heirloom memories!